March 1, 2007
The "next" big idea
Who says that an intellectual African Grey parrot with human gene therapy can't help you with your math homework? Don't dismiss it too quickly; this and more oddities of the genetic nature run amuck in Michael Crichton's imaginative and thoughtful new novel, "Next."
In "Next," Michael Crichton takes the emerging technology and maximizes its potential under even the most optimistic predictions, and hands it to some very unscrupulous characters. He masterfully takes his flights of fancy in this particular field of research and weaves them into the lives of perfectly normal people, wrecking them forever. The tech of choice in his newest novel is that of genetic engineering and modification, a familiar area for Crichton after his best-selling novels "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World," both of which feature genetically modified dinos.
Crichton fictionally explores the possibilities of cross-breeding, gene swapping between other species and the dangerous effects that they might have on the life of the average person. One character, construction worker Frank Burnet, has his cells copyrighted without his knowledge for their amazing amino acid production ability. The Frank's daughter and grandson, Alex and Jamie, who possess the same cells, are chased through several counties by a gang of bounty hunters or, as Crichton puts it, "civil arrest officers," who are looking to stick them full of needles in order to extract her precious cellular material. Through his drawing writing and vivid descriptions, Crichton manages to infuse a kind of adrenaline into his writing that makes is seem fast-paced and much more exciting than words on a page.
A typical Crichton tactic, "Next" goes into depth about the subject as he explains it, sprinkling in passages of pure information in order to fill in the unknowledgeable reader. It includes pages of fabricated and real news articles, studies and memos, each one adding to the fictional and real science of the theme. There is even an appendix of source books and websites about genetic modification provided at the end of the book.
Apart from entertaining audiences, Crichton also strives for a higher purpose through his writing. Prior to the book's appendix, there is a short chapter on his own personal views, in which he outlines rules for what he considers is necessary for the success and safety of genetic research. Those interested in the reality of his fictional musing will probably find this part of the book the most informative.
Though the book has superb flow and well chosen and developed themes of genetic experimentation, some first-time Crichton readers might be turned off by the explicit language sometimes used along with scenes of sexuality. However, veterans of Crichton's earlier works such as "Disclosure" and "The Terminal Man" should have no problem with the lucidity. At 430 pages, "Next" requires dedication to finish, though is quick enough if the reader finds the topic interesting. And not finding it interesting is very hard, considering how well Crichton draws his readers in and keeps them there.
Following in the footsteps of other great Crichton books like "Prey" and the "Jurassic Park" series, "Next" successfully takes an abstract science and scares the bejesus out of the reader with its potential. Readers who enjoy modern science fiction will find this book most enjoyable.
"Next" was released in Nov. 2006 and is on sale in book stores now
In "Next," Michael Crichton takes the emerging technology and maximizes its potential under even the most optimistic predictions, and hands it to some very unscrupulous characters. He masterfully takes his flights of fancy in this particular field of research and weaves them into the lives of perfectly normal people, wrecking them forever. The tech of choice in his newest novel is that of genetic engineering and modification, a familiar area for Crichton after his best-selling novels "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World," both of which feature genetically modified dinos.
Michael Crichton's newest book, "Next," explores the future of genetic engineering.
Crichton fictionally explores the possibilities of cross-breeding, gene swapping between other species and the dangerous effects that they might have on the life of the average person. One character, construction worker Frank Burnet, has his cells copyrighted without his knowledge for their amazing amino acid production ability. The Frank's daughter and grandson, Alex and Jamie, who possess the same cells, are chased through several counties by a gang of bounty hunters or, as Crichton puts it, "civil arrest officers," who are looking to stick them full of needles in order to extract her precious cellular material. Through his drawing writing and vivid descriptions, Crichton manages to infuse a kind of adrenaline into his writing that makes is seem fast-paced and much more exciting than words on a page.
A typical Crichton tactic, "Next" goes into depth about the subject as he explains it, sprinkling in passages of pure information in order to fill in the unknowledgeable reader. It includes pages of fabricated and real news articles, studies and memos, each one adding to the fictional and real science of the theme. There is even an appendix of source books and websites about genetic modification provided at the end of the book.
Apart from entertaining audiences, Crichton also strives for a higher purpose through his writing. Prior to the book's appendix, there is a short chapter on his own personal views, in which he outlines rules for what he considers is necessary for the success and safety of genetic research. Those interested in the reality of his fictional musing will probably find this part of the book the most informative.
Though the book has superb flow and well chosen and developed themes of genetic experimentation, some first-time Crichton readers might be turned off by the explicit language sometimes used along with scenes of sexuality. However, veterans of Crichton's earlier works such as "Disclosure" and "The Terminal Man" should have no problem with the lucidity. At 430 pages, "Next" requires dedication to finish, though is quick enough if the reader finds the topic interesting. And not finding it interesting is very hard, considering how well Crichton draws his readers in and keeps them there.
Following in the footsteps of other great Crichton books like "Prey" and the "Jurassic Park" series, "Next" successfully takes an abstract science and scares the bejesus out of the reader with its potential. Readers who enjoy modern science fiction will find this book most enjoyable.
"Next" was released in Nov. 2006 and is on sale in book stores now
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